Bard in the Botanics

19th June – 27th July 2013

Location:  Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Admission:  £16/£10 concession

As has been proven in outdoor festivals in many cultural capitals around the world, Shakespeare plays work very well in the open air.  Glasgow’s beautiful Botanic Gardens provide the perfect backdrop for just such an event.

In these spectacular, historic and fragrant grounds, King Lear, Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V have been performed to enthralled audiences and critical acclaim.

Glasgow Repertory Company’s annual outdoor Shakespeare festival is the only one of its kind in Scotland.  2013 will see the Bard celebrate their 12th year with an exciting programme of productions.

Bard in the Botanics returns in 2013 with a host of new productions that see some of Shakespeare’s most vivid creations embark on physical and emotional journeys that lead them into a new world and change their lives forever.

This year, the Bard will be performing Othello (directed by Gordon Barr), Much Ado About Nothing (directed by Gordon Barr), and Julius Caesar (directed by Jennifer Dick).

• Othello  With its racing, concentrated plot and intense dramatic detail, Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most heartbreaking tragedies, a tale of uncontrollable jealousy, deception and murder driven by one of theatre’s greatest villains.
• Much Ado About Nothing  Shakespeare’s wittiest comedy gets a thoroughly modern makeover as two of his most famous characters are recreated as male couple Benedick and Bertram and this, the original rom com, is given a very 21st century twist.
• Julius Caesar Performed in the intimate surroundings of the Kibble Palace Glasshouse by a cast of four, this electric new production offers you the chance to get up and close and personal with the ultimate political thriller.

Some outdoor performances can involve a lengthy walk through the grounds, but picnic baskets are available to sustain the hungry theatre-goer.

Performances in the main botanic gardens

Performances of both Othello and Much Ado About Nothing start at 7.45pm.  There are no performances on Sunday or Monday evenings throughout the festival.

• 19th June – 6th July:  Othello
• 10th July – 27th July:  Much Ado About Nothing

Performances in the Kibble Palace Glasshouse

Performances of Julius Caesar start at 8pm.  There are no performances on Sunday or Monday evenings throughout the festival.

• 11th July – 27th July:  Julius Caesar

Tickets

You can buy tickets by calling 0141 429 0022, or in person at the the Citizens Theatre box office (119 Gorbals St, Glasgow, G5 9DS).  Alternatively, tickets can be purchased online via the Bard in the Botanics website.

Further information

If you would like more information on any of this year’s shows, please ring the bard’s information line on 0141 334 9016, or visit their website.